US Navy Destroyer Collides with Supply Ship in Caribbean, Two Sailors Injured
In a startling incident caught on camera, a US Navy destroyer collided with a supply ship during operations in the Caribbean this week, resulting in injuries to two sailors. The footage, captured from aboard the USNS Supply, shows the dramatic moment the USS Truxtun, a 160-meter-long destroyer weighing 9,200 tons, veered into the side of the supply vessel.
Details of the Collision
The collision occurred as the supply ship was refuelling the cruiser USS Gettysburg on one side, while the Truxtun approached from the other. According to US Southern Command, which oversees operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, both sailors sustained only minor injuries and are reported to be in stable condition. The exact location of the incident remains unclear, but it is believed to have taken place near South America. Both vessels were able to sail away safely following the crash.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the collision is currently under investigation. A US official familiar with the incident stated that the Truxtun and Supply collided as the warship was receiving supplies. Typically, during such manoeuvres, vessels sail parallel within hundreds of feet while fuel and supplies are transferred via hoses and cables.
Context and Background
The USS Truxtun is part of a significant US naval presence in the Caribbean, which includes 12 ships such as the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, and several amphibious assault ships carrying thousands of marines. This presence has been built up by the Republican administration, which has conducted operations including strikes on alleged drug boats and seizures of sanctioned oil tankers in the region.
The Truxtun left its home port in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 3, but had to return for emergency equipment repairs before setting sail for the Caribbean on February 6. The Wall Street Journal first reported this rare collision, noting that warship collisions are uncommon events.
Previous Incidents and Safety Concerns
The US Navy's most recent collision prior to this occurred in February 2025, when the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt. That incident resulted in minor damage but no injuries. An investigation released in December revealed that the collision was due to the officer navigating the ship driving at an unsafely high speed and failing to take adequate action to avoid the merchant ship.
In a separate incident this week, the US military reported the death of a Marine, Lance Corporal Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, from Florida, who fell overboard from the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship. An extensive search and rescue operation involving five Navy ships, 10 aircraft, and an Air Force Reaper drone was conducted, but he was declared dead on Tuesday. This appears to be the first publicly announced death of a service member during US military operations in the region.
